When Fringe first came on the air in 2008, it claimed that it would have a mythology and mysteries similar to Lost (except it would answer questions sooner), but there would be less emphasis on those elements and also a case-of-the-week format, so it was easier for new viewers to jump on in. While it's kept a lot of those promises, I can't imagine that one would be able to jump into the show at this point and understand everything that was happening. The show has gotten far too big and complicated (though Fox has posted a series of videos that explain everything in a linear fashion. If you want to jump in to this series after reading this, start HERE!. ) for one to understand everything without looking up the show's backstory first, though this episode makes a decent starting point, with Lincoln discovering the Fringe team and slowly learning what's happening. Luckily for me though, I started at the beginning. And even though I fell out of touch during season 2, I still kept up with major developments and dove back in during season 3, so I was there when the mind-blowing reality-changing cliffhanger struck. Because apparently, Peter Bishop no longer exists.
Of course when you take one character out of the equation, what does that mean for the past three seasons? That was definitely on my mind over the course of the hour and while many of the major events seem to have stayed the same (Olivia was still kidnapped over to the other side, the machine had still turned on and as we saw before, the two worlds still have a common cross-over point among other things), lots is different and the absence of Peter Bishop's effect on the lives of these characters can definitely be seen.
First we see that Olivia is much more emotionally distance as she was back in season 1 and her life is apparently lonely as pointed out by Bolivia (also colder, as she never knew Peter either and never had his child) in a good opening scene, where we see that no one is that happy about the new arrangement, even though it's necessary. Later on we see that Walter was still in an asylum and wast still released, but without Peter to tether him, he is a recluse, as mad as he was back in the series beginning (possibly worse) and he won't leave the lab using a tech-equipped Astrid to be his eyes and ears in the outside world. This is not the same Fringe team we once knew. Also, without Peter the title sequence is orange.
Another difference is that the Over-Here version of Lincoln Lee has never encountered the Fringe Divison and Olivia doesn't seem to have met the Over-There Lincoln (where's he gone off to?). So we see Lincoln who gets involved in the case of the week (involving what maybe a new breed of shape shifter who appear translucent and render their victims translucent) when his partner is murdered and the body is taken by Fringe division. Seth Gabel (who is now a series regular) does a good job playing a man who initially just wants answers, and slowly proves that he can actually pretty useful, while working with Fringe Division catching a couple things that Olivia misses. He proves that more Lincoln is definitely a good thing.
But Peter isn't entirely gone. He flashes into the frame at least once and a subplot involves Walter seeing Peter pop up in the mirror (and at the end a TV) and not knowing what he's seeing or why. The traces of Peter are a problem to the Observers who aren't show how this is possible, as he was supposed to be erased. September, who started this all is sent to end it by building a machine to erase all traces of Peter once and for all, but at the last second doesn't do it. The consequences of this aren't shown now, but since Joshua Jackson is still listed as a series regular, he's bound to pop up again sooner or later.
That's not the only mystery set up. Upon figuring out that a new breed of shapeshifters are on the loose, Olivia takes Lincoln to the bridge between the Earths to meet with Bolivia. But Bolivia (though acting coy) honestly doesn't seem to know what's going on. Hmm. All in all, though I would've liked to have learned more about how much of the last three seasons happened and see more of the two worlds interacting (maybe next week.), this was a solid premiere. Fringe is shaping up for what could be it's best season yet, so if you haven't got on board yet, I recommend you do so now (though maybe watch the series of videos I linked to above first.). It's gonna be good.
Rating: Awesome! (Good)
Memorable Moments
-Excellent effects on the Translucent Men and when the one peels off and eats a finger nail, I shuddered.
-Walter may be more unhinged, but that always provides some good quotes. The best came when he was instructing Astrid at one of the crime scenes: “I’ll need to check her anus. Have that large lady there help you.”
-Also, while talking about something he must note: "I'm not wearing pants" (he had got all his clothes soaked) in the middle of what he's saying, before getting back on track.
-First reference to John Scott in a long, long, time though Olivia doesn't tell the whole story (unless that also changed).
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